Family Disputes During Holidays

Sibling Rivalry Can Have a Huge Impact in the Home

Everyone knows that the holidays can be particularly difficult and stressful when there is ongoing disputes between siblings and/or parents. A counselor and supervisor, Wendy Brown gives advice to some common problems that families have. She emphasizes, “A family life that holds a lot of conflict is stressful for everyone, whatever the children’s ages.”

Although it is often a long and arduous pass to change existing relationship behaviors and patterns, Brown says that it’s worth it. Especially with the assistance of a counselor, a third party can “help you examine inner blueprints, and it may be useful for family members to attend a number of family mediation sessions.” She also says that “Mediation can be useful in facilitating understanding and agreement in families with situations just like your own.”

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